Dr Eva Carneiro is a British sports medicine specialist who is widely known for her role as first team doctor at Chelsea FC. Carneiro joined Chelsea in 2009, initially working in the reserve team and was promoted to the first team under coach André Villas-Boas in 2011.
Her medical career at Chelsea was remarkable, especially for her involvement in top-flight matches and her dedication to the health of players.
However, her tenure became controversial in 2015 due to a public dispute with then-manager José Mourinho. This incident and its aftermath attracted significant media attention and highlighted wider issues relating to the treatment of medical professionals in sports.
File
- Full name: Eva Carneiro
- Date of birth: September 30, 1973
- Age: 51 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Gibraltar
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: Sports medicine doctor
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Jason De Carteret
- Children: Not applicable
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Anglo-Gibraltarian
- Net worth: £5 million
Early life and education
Eva Carneiro was born on September 30, 1973 in Gibraltar and turns 51 in 2024. She is of Anglo-Gibraltar descent and has pursued a career in sports medicine since she was a child.
Carneiro attended medical school at the University of Nottingham, where she completed basic training, then specialized in sports and exercise medicine. She continued her studies at the Australasian College of Sports Physicians in Melbourne and completed a Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary University of London.
This rigorous academic background equipped her for roles in elite sporting organisations, including Chelsea FC and the British Olympic Medical Institute, before joining the Premier League.
Personal life
Dr. Carneiro married Jason De Carteret, a polar explorer, on November 11, 2015, at St. Patrick in London. Her personal life remained largely private, although her marriage to De Carteret occasionally appeared in public discussions, particularly as both were involved in high-class professions. De Carteret’s career of extreme exploration is well suited to Carneiro’s work ethic and dedication to her demanding field.
Career
Carneiro’s career in sports medicine includes notable positions with West Ham United, the England women’s football team and the British Olympic Medical Institute.
In 2009, she joined Chelsea FC, where she initially worked with the reserve team before being promoted to first team doctor. Her time with Chelsea spanned many managers, from Villas-Boas to Mourinho, and included being involved in Chelsea’s Premier League and League Cup victories in the 2014-15 season.
After leaving Chelsea, Carneiro went into private practice, becoming a specialist at The Sports Medical Group on Harley Street, London.
She also worked as a consultant for a hospital in Qatar in preparation for the FIFA World Cup. In 2024, she became co-owner of Lewes FC, a club known for its dedication to gender equality, cementing her connections in the sports world.
Prize
- Recognized as one of the first female sports medicine doctors in the Premier League
- Honored as a pioneer in the UK Sports and Exercise Medicine Specialist Training Programme
Net worth
Dr Eva Carneiro’s estimated net worth is around £5 million, largely thanks to her long career in sports medicine, her work with famous football teams such as Chelsea FC and her private practice efforts.
Argumentative
Dr Carneiro’s career took a controversial turn in 2015 when she and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn were publicly criticized by Chelsea manager José Mourinho for following Eden Hazard on the field during a match with Swansea City. Mourinho’s comments suggested Carneiro’s intervention was unnecessary and left Chelsea with only nine players in a short period of time, leading to significant public attention.
The FA investigated Mourinho’s comments but ultimately cleared him of wrongdoing. Carneiro subsequently left Chelsea citing constructive dismissal and pursued legal action against the club. In June 2016, she reached a £5 million settlement in which Chelsea issued a public apology acknowledging her compliance with medical protocol.
Carneiro’s departure has drawn attention to the issue of sexism and workplace discrimination in football. The FA’s handling of the case has been widely criticized, with supporters saying it highlights persistent gender bias in sport.
Carneiro herself later spoke out about the impact of media and public pressure on female medical professionals in football, contributing to the ongoing dialogue about fairness in the workplace and respect for medical staff in the sport.
Social Media
- Instagram: @drevacarneiro
- Twitter: Not applicable
